Management of priapism induced by PGE1

Abstract To review the literature on priapism following intracavernous injection of PGE1, its management and the physiopathological mechanisms involved. The literature on PGE1-induced priapism available on Medline is reviewed and two cases treated at our hospital are described. The diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are presented. The relationship between drug use and priapism is difficult to establish since patients with the same history who received the same dose of Alprostatil did not develop priapism. Although infrequent, treatment must be instituted urgently since there is generally low flow.